...and buying another one later on down the road. Is this idiotic?

Some background info:
I bought a 1997 automatic (40k miles on the odometer now) and did an AT -> MT swap (new trans, kaaz 2-way LSD). Put some tein flex z coilovers on since the old suspension was rough, refreshed some suspension bits like swaybars & tie-rods & steering rack, did a kouki front-end conversion to fix the hideous aftermarket front bumper it came with, and now I'm putting kabuki mirrors (ganador remakes) on. Car has overfenders in the rear so I still need to get some wider tires with a better offset in the rear. Anyway, long story short I've dumped a lot of money into this car but I can't help but feel I enjoyed my ratty, caged FD more. I bought this thinking I could have a Porsche-lite interior and a reasonably comfortable suspension setup, but it would still be an FD when I drove it hard.

Unfortunately the interior just feels like something I'd need to spend $20k on to get to that level, it has a sunroof which I dislike, and I still want to do more on the performance side (ohlins, poly bushings everywhere, etc.) At the same time, I went to view a low-mileage V8 Vantage (2006, manual) and it's everything inside that I sort of dreamt of doing to the FD and more, plus it's only $36k.

If I were to sell this and my Spirit R seats that came with it I think I could buy the vantage, have some cash leftover, and then use that to eventually buy a caged FD for racing (cheapest I've seen is $10k for one with no paperwork, but there's another caged one for sale with clean papers, in the color I want, no accidents, and a semi-stripped interior for $30k currently). Granted, it needs new suspension and probably a bit of deferred maintenance and at this price-point it feels like I would be starting all over again with stuff.

What do you guys thinks?


Recent photo with current wheels (mirrors aren't done yet)

 

In my opinion, if you're looking to use an FD purely for racing, then having something more dedicated to that with no interior and a cage probably fits your needs better. I can't speak about a V8 vantage, I've never driven one, but anything more modern is going to have better interior feel and more comfort. The FD was never meant to have a premium interior feel, so if that's high on your list, you would either need to invest in converting it or look elsewhere.

For me personally I use my FD as a secondary sports car. The era and feel of the cheap plastics, squeaks and lesser refinement don't bother me, I chalk it up to part of the experience of the era. I don't want to try to make the car something it isn't. I've accepted those shortcomings and love it, despite that.

 

Maybe that's where I went wrong? Previously I've owned a bone stock FD as well (only mods were lightweight flywheel + new clutch and a powerFC with a base map) and it was surprisingly livable as a daily driver. Wasn't loud, stock suspension was firm enough to be fun but not uncomfortable, and even the stock seats were fine. Wasn't spacious but I fit fine. It wasn't as fast as my caged out FD with mods, but it was still fast enough to be fun while being a total normal sports car.

So my goal was to build on something like that once I got this one, but it just doesn't seem to be coming together like I'd thought it would. I'm not sure if it's because I'm now a lot older or if things just aren't quite right and it just needs more TLC (the sunroof + spirit R seats have also left me with a lot less headroom/comfort despite the interior otherwise being fine and the AC working).

 

Your point about being older and having different expectations is 100% true. What I found acceptable in my early 20's is completely out the window, and I couldn't drive what I did back then today. I think that's part of maturing or maybe becoming accustomed to the new growing standards of advancement that we see today.

A hard point for me was a car with no sunroof. At 6'2, I had a sunroof car as my first FD, and I put low (and uncomfortable) bucket seats in it to fit. I have no desire to live with that compromise, so having a hardtop was non-negotiable this go around.

Nostalgia is also a cruel mistress. Your point of reference might be inaccurate as time goes on, or your perceptions and tastes might have changed too. I lusted for years to reclaim my early car years with another FC, and once I got it (alongside the FD), I don't find myself driving it nearly as much as I thought I would. It's just sitting on the back burner, hoping one day I find the time and motivation to build it how I always dreamed to.